Jupiter in 2023/24: Report no.1   (Updated version, 2023 Nov.28)

John Rogers (BAA), Gianluigi Adamoli, Rob Bullen, Michel Jacquesson, Hans-Joerg Mettig (JUPOS team), & Shinji Mizumoto (ALPO-Japan).

Note:  Most of this report was finished in early November and posted in mid-November.  This final version has been updated with three relevant developments:  (1) Another impact flash, on Nov.15; (2) Measurements of the speeds of the SEBs wave-trains; (3) Close encounter and probable merger of the the two S4 anticyclonic ovals.  

Summary

With Jupiter currently at opposition (2023 Nov.3), and many hi-res images being produced by observers in the northern hemisphere, it is timely to summarise the state of the main regions of the planet. Jupiter’s atmosphere appears quite quiet and normal at present, with no large-scale dramatic activity, and only minor changes since 2022.  The most obviously active region is the NEB, where typical disturbances have resumed, both within the belt and along its south edge.  The GRS is notable for its record small size.  Here we show images, maps and charts that illustrate these and many other phenomena.

The report text is here:   Report_2023-no-1_v2_text

Small copies of the figures are here:   Report-no-1_MiniFigs_v2

The full-size figures are here:  Report-2023-no1_Figures

Below are a global map on Oct.30-31 (Figure 7), and an animated blink of two maps on Oct.10-12: